School Notes

Budget Adjustments/Reductions

I haven't gone back to look, but I'm betting that I posted an almost identical title about one year ago.  In fact, if this blog is five years old, then chances are that "Budget Adjustments/Reductions" have been an annual topic.  So it's that time of year again, when the administrative team begins to roll out plans to reduce the school district's budget. 

This year's reduction?  A cool half-million...if we're lucky.  Depending on the work of the state legislature and governor, this $500,000 reduction could go up by another $200,000 to $700,000.  The categories targeted for reduction aren't any big surprise..teaching positions, administration, co-curricular activities and paraprofessionals are the big ones.  Staff meetings are being held this week to outline the reduction plan, with community forums scheduled for later in the month.

MOCK TRIAL!

THE MOCK TRIAL TEAM IS HEADED TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT!!!

After an exciting win over top rival Sleepy Eye, the Saint Peter Mock Trial team has advanced to the state tournament in early March.  The team is undefeated through sub-section and section trials, and will now compete with the top 12 teams in the state in Minneapolis.  The team is coached by high school teacher John Warren, and a number of attorney coaches (and one specific judge!) within the Saint Peter community.

As a former mock trial coach, I am super excited that mock trial is again a thriving co-curricular activity at our high school.  Way to go, members and coaches!!

 

 

Co-Curricular Update

Lots of happenings at the high school the last few weeks, and lots of things on the horizon as we wrap up February!

• The One-Act Play cast and crew had a tremendous showing at the state tournament last Friday.  The team had an outstanding season!  Head coach Lyn Vavreck worked amazingly well with this year's high-powered cast.  Can't wait for the next theatre production at SPHS!
• Brodie Raymond scored his 1,000th point in a basketball game against Blue Earth a couple weeks ago.  For those non-basketball folks, this is rare occasion and an accomplishment only reached by those who possess great talent and dedication to the game.  Congrats Brodie!
• Beau Bachman and Brittani Lamb were named the Saint Peter High School AAA (Arts, Academic and Athletic) award winners.  Bachman was also chosen as the Sub-Section AAA winner!!  Both Bachman and Lamb are unbelievably well-rounded seniors, participating in numerous and diverse school-related activities for the past four years. 
• The Mock Trial team is one bang of the gavel away from the state tournament.  With the help of local legal counsel and Nicollet County Judge Allison Kreibehl, this year's team continues to score big wins against regional competitors.  Next up is Sleepy Eye, and a win punches their ticket to the state tourney.
•  The boys and girls basketball teams continue to position themselves for a run at the South Central Conference titles.  Did you know that the boys team went from the holiday tournament to February 16 without losing a game, and that the girls are playing some of their best basketball of the season?
• Congratulations to the girls' hockey team for winning the South Central Conference title.  The girls had a number of bigwins this season, including a huge one against New Ulm. 
• The FIRST Robotics team is putting the finishing touches on the SPHS robot before it is shipped to the University of Minnesota later this month.  With the state competition in April, this year's team has high expectations for competing with the top teams in the state.  This year's challenge is "Breakaway".  A demo can be found by following the FIRST Robotics links on our school's website (www.stpeterschools.org). 

As you can see, there are a lot of great things happening in the co-curricular program at SPHS!!  Spread the word!

Snow and One-Act

Today was another snow day for students at Saint Peter Middle/High School.  It's been one of those winters, where it seems like the snow has come at the most inopportune times.  Talk around school is that we are going to start looking to find creative ways to get some of the lost student learning time back.  From a learning perspective, it sure would be nice to get some time in before the MCA-II testing bonanza in mid-April.  I suppose moving graduation back is an option, but that wouldn't be my first choice.  Or graduate on time, and bring K-11 students back the next week.  Again, not a great option.  The spring calendar is tight as it is, with only a couple days available to even consider.  Good Friday and Easter Monday are vacation days, and there are also two student early release days in April and May that could be considered.  What do you think?

Also, congratulations to the One-Act Play cast and crew for their 1st place showing at the Section tournament.  Saint Peter High School is on its way to the state tournament!!!  I had a chance to see the play a couple weeks back.  The acting was awesome, and the tech. crew did an amazing job.  Not sure I totally understood the play, but they did a great job nonetheless!!!  Congrats, and best of luck at state this coming weekend!